JP3046460B2 - Printer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer system, and more particularly to a control system for reciprocal recording of a printer having a plurality of recording means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers can be roughly classified into two types depending on the recording (printing) method. One type is LB
Such as P (Laser Beam Printer)
A page printer that records one pixel at a time.
The other type uses a print head in which print elements are arranged in a paper feed direction (a direction orthogonal to the head movement direction), and serially prints a plurality of pixels of the print head simultaneously or by dividing it into several blocks. It is a printer.

[0003] Such a print head is generally constituted by an ink jet system, a thermal transfer system, a thermal system, a dot impact system, a daisy wheel system, or the like.

Conventionally, in the above serial printer, a plurality of heads of the same or similar shape are arranged in order to realize multicolor printing or improvement of printing speed, and the head is mounted on a base generally called a carriage. Printing has been performed by fixing the head and reciprocating the carriage.

[0005] However, in the printer having such a configuration, when performing printing, it is necessary to control a printing timing for correcting a distance between a plurality of heads (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-6538). .

That is, the print timing is delayed for the second head in the carriage movement direction to temporally correct the spatial distance from the first head.
The temporal correction amount is obtained by converting the distance between the first head and the second head into the number of print dots, starting printing from the first head, and starting from the next dot after printing the converted number of dots. The printing of the head No. 2 is started. Hereinafter, the third
In the subsequent heads as well, the correction for the distance between the first head and each head is performed similarly to the second head.

Further, in the above-mentioned serial printer, there is a printer which not only performs a printing operation on the outward movement when the carriage is moved, but also performs a printing on the outward movement when the carriage is moved. Is not an exception for serial printers equipped with.

However, in a serial printer having a plurality of print heads, the first head in the carriage moving direction differs between forward printing and forward printing.

That is, the head that was first in the carriage movement direction during the forward printing becomes the last head during the backward printing, and the head that was the last during the forward printing moves the carriage during the backward printing. It becomes the first head in the direction. Similarly, the printing order of the following heads is reversed during forward printing and backward printing.

Therefore, a serial printer having such a plurality of print heads and configured to perform reciprocal printing is provided with means for changing the printing timing between forward printing and returning printing. See JP-A-58-87064).

[0011]

However, in the prior art, the delay circuit for controlling the print timing at the time of reciprocal printing is set with the forward path printing delay amount data and the return path printing delay amount data independently. Each delay amount data is selectively set in each of the delay circuits at the time of printing and at the time of homeward printing.

However, the delay amount is used to correct the distance between each of a plurality of heads mechanically fixed on the carriage, and the distance does not change at all during forward printing and backward printing. However, there is a problem that it is not necessary to set the delay amount independently for the forward printing and the backward printing.

Setting two types of data for forward printing and backward printing as in the conventional example requires circuits such as registers and selectors, and the circuit size increases as the head-to-head distance increases. There was a problem that it became large.

Further, there is a problem that both data values must be set without error.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and realizes a cost reduction by simplifying a circuit and a printing caused by a mistake in setting of data for forward printing and data for returning printing. The purpose is to avoid errors.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a printer device is provided by the following (1),
The configuration is as shown in (2) and (3). (1) In a printer device that performs reciprocal printing by scanning N (N ≧ 3) print heads, scanning of another (N−1) print heads with respect to a reference print head among the N print heads To set the head-to-head correction value in the
A constant section, to count in synchronization with the scanning of said recording head
Counting means that, regardless of the scanning direction of the recording head, depending on the setting means against the recording head of the reference
Inter-head correction value of the N-1 of the recording head is set Te and
According to the count value of the counting means , N-1
Generating means for generating the recording timing of the recording head;
A print control unit that controls reciprocal printing by the N print heads at the print timing generated by the generation unit. (2) In a printer device for performing reciprocal printing by scanning N (N ≧ 3) print heads in the forward direction and the backward direction, the other N−1 print heads among the N print heads with respect to the reference print head Setting means for setting a head-to-head correction value in the scanning direction of the recording heads; counting means for counting up or down in accordance with the scanning direction of the recording heads; and recording in one of the forward and backward scanning directions. Sometimes, the recording means generates the recording timing of N-1 recording heads based on the inter-head correction value while counting up or down from a predetermined value. While counting down or up from the value at the end of the count at the time of recording in the scanning direction, N-1 It generates a recording timing of the recording head
Generation means for, printer device having a recording control means for controlling the reciprocal printing according to the N recording heads in a recording timing generated by the generating means. (3) The recording head is provided for each of the plurality of ejection units for ejecting ink and the corresponding ejection unit, and causes a state change due to heat in the ink to cause the ink to be ejected from the ejection unit based on the state change. The printer device according to (1) or (2), further comprising: thermal energy generating means for forming a flying liquid droplet.

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a bubble jet type ink jet serial color printer using thermal energy will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment which best illustrates the features of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 114, 115, 116 and 1 in FIG.
Reference numeral 17 denotes an ink jet print head,
111, 112 and 113 are print heads 114 and 11 respectively.
5, 116, 117, a print data transfer section for transferring print data; 107, a print buffer memory for temporarily storing print data output from a host computer (not shown); 108, data to be printed from the print buffer memory 107; Each print data transfer unit 110, 11
A DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller for giving the data to 1, 112, and 113.

Reference numeral 109 denotes each head 114, 115, 11
6, 117, a head control circuit for ejecting ink; 102, an encoder for synchronizing print timing;
103 is a central processing unit controlled by software, 10
4 is a register 1 for storing data indicating the distance between the K head 114 and the C head 115, 105 is a register 2 for storing data indicating the distance between the K head 114 and the M head 116, 106 is the K head 114 and the Y head Registers 3 and 101 for storing data indicating the distance from the memory 117 are print control circuits, and include the encoder 102 and the central processing unit 10.
3, the DMA controller 108 and the head control circuit 109 are controlled based on the register 1 104, the register 2 105, and the register 3 106.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure of the ink jet head of this embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a head body, which is the K head 114, C head 115,
These correspond to the M head 116 and the Y head 117. 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210
Are heaters for ejecting ink by a bubbling action, and are arranged for each nozzle and constituted by a total of 64 heaters.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a 3/8 decoder for dividing the 64 heaters into eight blocks to discharge ink, and outputs a block selection signal input to the 3/8 decoder 202 to BLKENB <2.multidot. 0> is issued from the head control circuit 109 in FIG.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a shift register for receiving print data corresponding to 64 nozzles. The input print data IDATA is transmitted from the print data transfer units 110, 111, 112, and 113 for each color in FIG. This print data is "1" for the nozzle to be printed,
“0” is transferred for a nozzle that does not print.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a 64-bit latch for holding the print data received by the shift register 203. The latch signal LTCLK of the latch 204 is supplied to the head control circuit 1 shown in FIG.
It is emitted from 09. The drive timing of the head will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the heads in this embodiment, and shows the arrangement of the heads of a color ink jet printer and the direction of head movement during printing.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 114, 115, 116, and 117 denote the K head, C head, M head, and Y head described with reference to FIG. 1, respectively. 115, M head 116, and Y head 117 are arranged in order of K head 114 and at intervals L1, L2, and L3, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a printing timing chart during forward printing. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a time for correcting the interval L1 between the K head 114 and the C head 115 based on the K head 114 described with reference to FIG. This time is uniquely determined by the speed of the carriage moving the distance L1. In this embodiment, the correction is performed by counting the number of pulses of the encoder 102 corresponding to the print dots on a one-to-one basis. Hereinafter, the same applies to T2 and T3.

404 and 405 are encoders 10 respectively.
2 are A-phase signals and B-pulses, respectively.
It represents a phase signal. The A-phase signal 404 corresponds to the print dots on a one-to-one basis as described above. The A-phase signal 404 ejects ink in synchronization with this pulse to perform printing.
Is used to determine the moving direction of the carriage, that is, the head, based on the phase shift relationship with the A-phase signal 404.

An HWINDOW (heat window) signal 406 is issued from the central processing unit 103 to indicate a print area in the carriage scanning direction.

Each of the signals 407, 408, 409, and 410 is based on the HWINDOW signal 406, and indicates a signal HWINDOWK (heat window K) or HWIDOWC (heat signal) indicating a print area corresponding to each of the heads 114, 115, 116, and 117 of each color. Wind C), HWIN
DOWM (heat window M) and HWINCOWY (heat window Y), which have been corrected by the arrangement interval with respect to the K head, which is the leading head in the forward printing direction.

This correction is performed by the print control circuit 10 shown in FIG.
1, and specific means thereof will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 411 denotes an HTRG (heat trigger) signal generated from the A-phase signal 404 of the encoder 102.
5, 116, and 117 when a signal for performing a printing operation is issued, and print data transfer units 110, 111, and
Each of the heads 114, 115,
This trigger is used to start the transfer of print data to print the next print data to the print 116 and 117.

412 is an A-phase signal 40 of the encoder 102
This is a CRDIR (carriage reflection) signal generated from the 4 and B phase signals 405, and indicates "1" during forward printing and "0" during backward printing.

Each of the print data transfer units 110, 111, 112, 413, 414, 415, 416
The 64-bit shift register 2 in the head 201 serially with the data of the 64th nozzle from each of the 113
03.

417 is the print data 413, 414,
This is a synchronous transfer clock to the 64-bit shift register when each of 415 and 416 is reversed.

Reference numeral 418 denotes BLKENB <2... 0> (block enable) issued from the head control circuit 109.
This is a signal for selectively heating eight nozzles from the top among 64 nozzles of the head by a 3-bit signal.
As shown in FIG.
Are decoded by the 3/8 decoder 202.

419, 420, 421 and 422 are each H
ENBK (heat enable K), HENBC (heat enable C), HENBM (heat enable M),
This is a HENBY (heat enable Y) signal, which is a signal that defines the actual heating time of each of the heads 114, 115, 116, and 117.

That is, each of the heads 114, 115, 116,
In 117, among the input signals of the AND gates connected to the transistors at the preceding stage of each heater in FIG. 2, the signal from the 3/8 decoder 202 is "1" and the signal from the 64-bit latch is "1 (printed). HENBK (heat enable K), HENB
The current is applied to the heater only during the time when the C (heat enable C), HENBM (heat enable M), and HENBY (heat enable Y) signals are "1", and the ink is ejected.

FIG. 5 is a printing timing chart at the time of backward printing, and the signals in FIG. 5 are the same as those in FIG.

An HWINDOW (heat window) signal 406 is issued from the central processing unit 103 to indicate a print area in the carriage scanning direction.

FIG. 5 is different from FIG. 4 in that HWINDOW
K signal 407, HWINDOWC signal 408, HWIN
DOWN signal 409, HWINDOWN 410 and BLK
The ENB <2... 0> signal, and the five types of signals will be described below. HWINDOWK signal 407, HWI
NDOWC signal 408, HWINDOWM signal 409,
HWINDOWN 410 is HWINDOW signal 40 respectively.
6, heads 114, 115, and 11 for each color of return printing
6, 117, respectively, and the correction values 401, 402, and 403 for them are the same as the correction values for the arrangement intervals for the K head, which is the head in the reciprocating printing direction, but in the order of occurrence. Is HW reverse to that of FIG.
INDOWY signal 410, HWINDOW signal 40
9, HWINDOW signal 408 and HWINDOWK signal 407, respectively. This correction is performed by the print control circuit 101 in FIG. 1, and the specific means will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

BL emitted from head control circuit 109
KENB <2... 0> (block enable) signal 41
4, the head 8 selectively heats the nozzles from the bottom among the 64 nozzles of the head by using a 3-bit signal, and changes from 7 to 0 as shown in FIG.
01 is decoded by the 3/8 decoder 202 in the "01". Here, the order is reversed because the moving direction of the carriage is reversed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplifying the generation of a head-to-head distance correction signal, and shows the HWINDOWK signal 4 for reciprocating color printing.
07, HWINDOWC signal 408, HWINDOWM
The circuit that generates the signal 409 and the HWINDOWN 410 is shown.

In FIG. 6, reference numerals 601 and 602 denote U / D
(Up / down counter) and comparator, 603 is a selector for switching output signals between reciprocating printing and returning printing, 604, 605, 606 are gates, 607, 60
8, 609, and 610 are JK-type flip-flops, respectively.
07, HWINDOWC signal 408, HWINDOWM
Signal 409 and HWINDOWN 410 are generated.

In FIG. 6, register 1 104, register 2
Reference numeral 105 and register 3 106 are the same as those shown in FIG. 1, and reference numeral 104 denotes registers 1 and 1 for storing data indicating an interval between the K head 114 and the C head 115.
Reference numeral 05 denotes a register 2 for storing data indicating an interval between the K head 114 and the M head 116, and reference numeral 106 denotes a K head 114.
And a register 3 for storing data indicating an interval between the Y head 117 and the Y head 117.

The operation at the time of reciprocating printing in FIG. 6 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a timing chart of the reciprocating printing operation of the circuit of FIG.

At the time of forward printing, the CRDIR signal 412 is "1" as shown in FIG. 7, and the U / D counters & comparators 601 and 602 operate in the up-count mode.
The A input is selected for the selector 603.

Here, when the carriage (not shown) starts moving and reaches the print area of the head 114, HWIN
The DOW signal 405 becomes “1”, and at the same time, the U / D counter and the U / D counter in the comparators 601 and 602 are reset by the output signal of the NAND gate 604.

Next, the output signal from the AND gate 605 is input to the START terminal of the U / D counter and comparator 601 via the selector 603, and the U / D counter and comparator 601 are enabled to count up. In synchronization with the first rising edge of the encoder A-phase signal 404 input to
The UT1A signal 701 is output, and the count-up is continued thereafter in synchronization with the rising edge of the A-phase signal 404 of the encoder.

In this process, when the count value of the counter becomes equal to the value of the register 1104 (ie, T1), the operation of the U / D counter and the internal comparator of the comparator 601 outputs the OUT2A signal 702,
Thereafter, similarly, an OUT3A signal 703 is output, and
At the same time as outputting the 4A signal 704, the OUT4A signal 7
04 is input to the STOP terminal of the U / D counter and comparator 601 via the selector 603, and the U / D counter & comparator 601 stops counting.

Next, the carriage (not shown) is the head 1
When the HWINDOW signal 406 is set to “0” at the time of passing through the print area of No. 14, the output signal from the NOR gate 606 is input to the START terminal of the U / D counter and the comparator 602 via the selector 603,
The / D counter and the comparator 602 enter a countable state, and thereafter output the OUT1B signal 705 in synchronization with the first rising edge of the encoder A-phase signal 404 input to the CK terminal. The phase signal continues to count up in synchronization with the rising edge of 404.

In this process, when the count value of the counter becomes equal to the value of the register 1104 (that is, T1), the OUT2B signal 706 is output.
At the same time as outputting the signal 707 and the OUT4B signal 708, the OUT4B signal 708
3 via a U / D counter and comparator 602
Of the U / D counter and the comparator 602 are stopped.

On the other hand, each output OUT1A701, OUT2
A702, OUT3A703, OUT4A704, OU
T1B705, OUT2B706, OUT3B707,
OUT4B708 are each connected to JK via selector 603.
Each of the flip-flops 607, 608, 609, and 610 is input to the HOINDOWK signal 4 shown in FIG.
07, HWINDOWC signal 408, HWINDOWM
The signal 409 and the HWINDOWN 410 signal are obtained.

Next, the operation at the time of backward printing in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an operation timing chart of the circuit of FIG. 6 at the time of backward printing. At the time of return printing, CR as shown in FIG.
The DIR signal 412 is “0”, the U / D counter and comparators 601 and 602 are in the down-count mode, and the selector 603 is in the B input.

Here, when the carriage (not shown) starts moving and reaches the print area of the head head 117 as in the case of forward printing, the HWINDOW signal 406 becomes "1".

However, unlike during forward printing, the output signal of the NAND gate 604 does not reset the U / D counter in the U / D counter and comparators 601 and 602.

Next, the output signal from the AND gate 605 is input to the START terminal of the U / D counter and comparator 601 via the selector 603, and the U / D counter and comparator 601 are enabled to count down. The countdown is started in synchronization with the first rising edge of the input A-phase signal 404 of the encoder.

At this time, the count value of the counter is the count value at the time of stopping by performing the up-count on the outward trip, ie,
Since the value is the same as the value (T3) of the register 3 106, the OUT4A signal 704 is output. Thereafter, as the countdown is performed, the OUT3A signal 703 and OUT2A are operated by the operation of the internal comparator of the U / D counter & comparator 601 as in the forward pass printing. A signal 702 is output and the U / D counter and comparator 601
When the count value of the internal counter returns to “0”, the OUT1A signal 701 is output, and
The 1A signal 701 is input to the STOP terminal of the U / D counter and comparator 601 via the selector 603, and the U / D counter and comparator 601 stop counting.

Next, the carriage (not shown) is the head 1
When the HWINDOW signal 406 is set to “0” at the time of passing the print area No. 17, the output signal from the NOR gate 606 is input to the START terminal of the U / D counter and the comparator 602 via the selector 603,
/ D counter and comparator 602 start counting down, and successively output OUT as described above.
A 4B signal 708, an OUT3B signal 707, an OUT2B signal 706, and an OUT1B signal 705 are output, and the U / D counter and the comparator 602 stop counting.

On the other hand, as in the case of forward printing, each output OUT1 is output.
A701, OUT2A702, OUT3A703, OU
T4A704, OUT1B705, OUT2B706,
OUT3B707 and OUT4B708 are respectively connected to JK flip-flops 607, 608,
609 and 610, and HWINDOW shown in FIG.
K signal 407, HWINDOWC signal 408, HWIN
DOWN signal 409 and HWINDOWN 410 signal are obtained.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another embodiment of FIG. 6, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 9 shows H during the reciprocating color printing shown in FIG.
WINDOWK signal 407, HWINDOWC signal 40
8, HWINDOW signal 409, HWINDOW4
10 shows another embodiment of a circuit for generating each of the ten circuits. The difference from FIG. 6 is that the circuit is realized by a set of U / D counter and comparator, and the basic operation is the same. .

According to this configuration, the realization cost is reduced.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the head arrangement shown in FIG. 3 of this embodiment, in which a color printing head is arranged in the paper feed direction.

With such a head arrangement, the present invention is applicable to an apparatus that forms an image by a combination of a forward paper feed and a reverse paper feed (back feed).

In this embodiment, the ink jet and the color printer using the heat energy have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Regardless, it is easily applicable.

In this embodiment, a color printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer that arranges a plurality of heads and performs high-speed printing (for example, a head that performs thinning-out and has a low printing speed). To increase the speed).

Further, in this embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the heat trigger signal is obtained from the encoder. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a system for counting the internal clock of the system can also be realized.

In this embodiment, in FIG. 1, the means for correcting the distance between heads is constituted by a hardware counter. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be realized by a software counter.

The present invention is particularly applicable to an ink jet recording apparatus which includes a means for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, and a method of causing a change in ink state by the thermal energy. In a head and a recording apparatus, an excellent effect is provided. According to such a method, the recording density is increased,
This is because high definition can be achieved.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the channel in which , Heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat-acting surface of the recording head.
As a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal, which is effective. The growth of this bubble,
The liquid (ink) is discharged through the discharge opening by contraction to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. The driving signal in the form of a pulse is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Suitable are those described in 345262. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,244 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region, is also effective for the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461 which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit.

Further, although the serial type ink jet recording apparatus has been described in the embodiment, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recordable value. As a full-line type recording head, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification, either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed. Although good, the present invention can exhibit the above-mentioned effects more effectively.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head and preliminary auxiliary means provided as components of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, for the recording head, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suctioning unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a recording unit It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection in order to perform stable printing.

The type and number of recording heads and inks to be mounted are also, for example, as follows:
In addition to the head provided with a plurality of recording heads, a head provided with a plurality of inks corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities may be provided, and is effective in any combination. The present invention is effective not only in the recording mode of black or the like as the recording mode of the recording apparatus, but also in each of the recording modes of full-color by multi-colors of different colors or mixed colors.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or melts at room temperature, or the ink described above. In general, in the ink jet, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled in a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Anything can be used. In addition, in order to prevent temperature rise due to heat energy, the ink is positively used as the energy of the phase change from the solid state of the ink to the liquid state. In any case, thermal energy such as one in which ink is liquefied and ejected as an ink liquid by application in accordance with a recording signal of thermal energy, or one which already starts to solidify when reaching a recording medium, etc. The use of an ink that liquefies for the first time is also applicable to the present invention. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

The present invention also relates to an ink-jet system such as a piezo-jet system in which ink is ejected by converting electricity into a force, such as a piezo-jet system in which a recording head is disposed in non-contact with a recording medium and ink is ejected for recording. It is effective in.

In addition to the above, the recording apparatus of the present invention may be provided as an output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a word processor or a computer as described above, as an integral or separate output terminal, as well as a copying apparatus combined with a scanner or the like. Further, it may take the form of a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, when performing color reciprocal printing using a plurality of heads, each head-to-head distance correction data is made one type, thereby simplifying the circuit. To achieve low cost,
It is possible to avoid a printing error caused by a mistake in setting the data for forward printing and the data for backward printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment best representing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a bubble jet type inkjet according to this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement of heads according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a print timing chart during forward printing according to this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a printing timing chart at the time of homeward printing in this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of generating a head-to-head distance correction signal according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an operation timing chart of forward printing in the circuit of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an operation timing chart of the return path printing of the circuit of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view showing another embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another embodiment of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 101 print control circuit 102 encoder 103 central processing unit 104, 105, 106 register for correction value of head-to-head distance 107 print buffer memory 109 head control circuit 114, 115, 116, 117 print head 406 HWINDOW signal 601, 602 indicating print area Up-down counters and comparators

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification symbol FI B41J 19/18 B41J 3/10 101E (58) Investigated field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 3/54 B41J 2 / 01 B41J 2/05 B41J 2/51 B41J 19/18

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printer apparatus for performing reciprocal printing by scanning N (N ≧ 3) print heads, wherein N-1 other print heads with respect to a reference print head among the N print heads Setting means for setting a head-to-head correction value in the scanning direction, and a count for counting in synchronization with the scanning of the recording head.
Means and, regardless of the scanning direction of the recording head, mosquito head between the correction value of the N-1 of the recording head is set by the setting means against the recording head of the reference and said counting means
Recording time of N-1 recording heads according to the count value
Generating means for generating the recording, and the recording timing generated by the generating means,
A print control unit for controlling reciprocal printing by the print heads. 2. A printer device for performing reciprocal printing by scanning N (N ≧ 3) print heads in a forward direction and a backward direction. Setting means for setting a head-to-head correction value in the scanning direction of one recording head; counting means for up-counting or down-counting according to the scanning direction of the recording head; During recording, the recording means generates a recording timing of N-1 recording heads based on the correction value between the heads while counting up or down from a predetermined value. While counting down or up from the value at the end of recording in one scanning direction, N Generating means for generating the print timing of one print head; and N based on the print timing generated by the generating means.
A print control unit for controlling reciprocal printing by the print heads. 3. The recording head is provided for each of a plurality of ejection units for ejecting ink and a corresponding ejection unit, and causes a state change due to heat in the ink to cause ink to be discharged from the ejection unit based on the state change. The printer device according to claim 1, further comprising: a thermal energy generating unit configured to discharge and form flying droplets.